Blues ranked 4th to last and the tah&#39;s ranked number 3... Blues come of a win as do the Tah&#39;s... will be interesting...

sanzar

20-03-06, 04:07 AM

I didn&#39;t see the Brumbies game, so I don&#39;t know how good they were, but I&#39;m confident the Tah&#39;s will have this one at home.

Dumbo

20-03-06, 04:13 AM

Brumbies played like crap, Bernie was one dimensional... crap.

Wally

20-03-06, 04:41 AM

This one should fill the stadium.

Ripper

20-03-06, 06:43 AM

If Lukes back we will win.

The TRUTH

20-03-06, 06:44 AM

I would put my house on the Tahs for this game

Tuqiri should be back which means Berne get get f***ed, Dell is on fire as is Rogers, this one could be nasty

The Tahs have one of the best forward packs in the comp, plus...

Whitaker
Rogers
Sailor
Turinui
Tiqiri
Hewat
Norton-Knight

You wont find a better backline than that in any league

Tahs by 20+

EDIT: Rogers>McAlister

Ripper

20-03-06, 06:48 AM

You suck.

The TRUTH

20-03-06, 06:52 AM

Originally posted by Ripper@Mar 20 2006, 06:48 PM
You suck.
:D Thanks

You still got plenty of winnable games left, I dont think this is one

sambĂŁd5

20-03-06, 06:54 AM

if the blues win this, they will make the semis. they have played. and lost to most of the top teams. with alot of easy(ish) beats to play, plus some momentum, could be interesting.

if the tight 5, plus flavel play well, and mcallister is playing the blues are more than capable of winning.

sanzar

20-03-06, 07:02 AM

In my opinion it will all come down to the Waratah&#39;s control of the game. If they play like they did against the Force, they&#39;ll lose. If they Norton-Knight&#39;s kicking game is on song, Rogers is playing at his upredictable best and the forwards keep their heads, then the Tah&#39;s will strangle any chances the blues have and slowly start piling on the points.

Rassie

20-03-06, 09:42 AM

Well, it`s the moment of truth for Blues! They can`t afford another loss if they want to have a real chance to make the semis! Very important: will be bonus points? Tahs can even afford to lose if they manage 2 bonus points from this game !

Ripper

20-03-06, 07:38 PM

The Waratahs are the Blues biatch&#39;s, how many times have they beaten us overall? can&#39;t be more then 3 or 4 times at the most.

You wont find a better backline than that in any league
I beg to differ...

Robinson
Spencer
Cohen
Quinlan
Clarke
Lamont
Reihana

Just thought I&#39;d throw that in there. These guys in action is quite something. If you want proof, www.sportal.com.

I have nothing useful to add to the actual match debate, but I&#39;d probably back the Waratahs to win it. [/b]
hmmm... let me see

Robinson, solid half back
Spencer, hot and cold... Rogers>Spencer
Cohen... LMAO! Sailor is no champion, but still Sailor>-------------------------- COHEN
Quinlan... haven&#39;t seen enough of him
Clarke, HAVE seen enough and trust me, Tuqiri>--------------------- Clarke
Lamont, good player, but at the moment I would have anyone take Hewat&#39;s position... EASILY the most under-rated Aussie player in the S13
Reihana... You probably haven&#39;t seen Norton-Knight as he&#39;s so young, but put simply, he&#39;s the new Larkham.

All_Blacks_Hurricanes_Lions_Fan

21-03-06, 01:13 AM

Originally posted by The TRUTH!!@Mar 20 2006, 07:44 PM
I would put my house on the Tahs for this game

Tuqiri should be back which means Berne get get f***ed, Dell is on fire as is Rogers, this one could be nasty

The Tahs have one of the best forward packs in the comp, plus...

Whitaker
Rogers
Sailor
Turinui
Tiqiri
Hewat
Norton-Knight

You wont find a better backline than that in any league

Tahs by 20+

EDIT: Rogers>McAlister
Thats just your opinion there are a few teams that could carve that backline up your midfield isnt that flash neither is your wings, Hewett dosent have enough pace and last year was a good example he only got so many tries because they were interecepts and i remember in last years S12 against the Canes Nonu ran him down after he got an intercept.

THE CHIROPRACTOR101

21-03-06, 01:53 AM

blues will win..if tasesa lava decides to play rugby that is

esoj

21-03-06, 06:43 AM

if mCalister is back will be very interesting. blues have some great backs they just need the ball and to hold onto their passes. the forwards also need to step up again.

the brumbies were bad last week but the blues really just blew them off the park and simply outplayed them

Dumbo

21-03-06, 08:36 AM

Could be that things are changing for the Blues... 12 and 13 combo are hitting the line hard... still to send it out to the wings, also Blues forwards seem to have picked up a gear... this game we will see if they had a lucky day against the Brumbies OR if the tide has changed.
And if McA&#39; is coming back where is he gonna&#39; play... Rua&#39;s deserves to hold his spot (and the couch seems to have some weird frtish for Lavea).

Cheeky_Darkie

22-03-06, 07:29 AM

Lavea has retained his spot at 10 with Mcalister coming in at 12 meaning Tipoki is on the bench. How on earth Lavea is still at 10 is a mystery to me (probably doing personal favours for Nucifora or something !!).

The other change is Macdonald starting at 7 for the injured Braid.

THE CHIROPRACTOR101

22-03-06, 08:07 AM

i see that rokocoko aint scoring tries but in general play he still world class..just his defensive positioning and counter-attacking/support play have been awesome...

the fact he doesnt get ENOUGH ball with openspace is tha problem...he is still an allblack starter..dam..hes only like 22/23 now?

mccalister should be thrown into the 10 jersey with lavea on the bench...

SaintsFan_Webby

22-03-06, 09:13 AM

Originally posted by sanzar@Mar 21 2006, 12:24 AM
Clarke, HAVE seen enough and trust me, Tuqiri>--------------------- Clarke
When have you seen much of Clarke just out of interested?

You wont find a better backline than that in any league
I beg to differ...

Robinson
Spencer
Cohen
Quinlan
Clarke
Lamont
Reihana

Just thought I&#39;d throw that in there. These guys in action is quite something. If you want proof, www.sportal.com.

I have nothing useful to add to the actual match debate, but I&#39;d probably back the Waratahs to win it. [/b]
Bwahaahahahahahaha.......that backline is good for NH rugby but they wouldn&#39;t stand a chance in the Super 14 ......

You wont find a better backline than that in any league
I beg to differ...

Robinson
Spencer
Cohen
Quinlan
Clarke
Lamont
Reihana

Just thought I&#39;d throw that in there. These guys in action is quite something. If you want proof, www.sportal.com.

I have nothing useful to add to the actual match debate, but I&#39;d probably back the Waratahs to win it.
Bwahaahahahahahaha.......that backline is good for NH rugby but they wouldn&#39;t stand a chance in the Super 14 ......

Rua&#39;s been playing well and is a good combo with Tuitavake...
yeh agreed..i like the triple threat from north harbour in the midfield..they are a major reason as to why there npc team got to the semi&#39;s...

but isikeli necewa needs to be closer to the ball to utilise his better strengths..i have been watchin him for 3 years now and he has to be the GREATEST UTILITY PLAYER in the world right now...i have never seen any other player cover fullback,wing,centre and second five with ease and also with great skills in all those positions...plus now we find out he can kick consistantly good from 40metres out :o ..

he would have been built up as an allblack and wouldve solved alot of there &#39;utility backline player&#39; problems if he didnt all ready dedicate himself to the fijian team..

i see him best in the midfield...at fullback he can play the conservative game quite well but he shines at playing the razzle dazzle style...offloading and sidestepping in the midfield and linking with roko and howlett is his real strength..that finesse and flair can unlock our wing problems

plus brent ward is a great allround player and needs to be on that field!

The TRUTH

24-03-06, 06:32 AM

Originally posted by THE CHIROPRACTOR101@Mar 23 2006, 07:56 PM
but isikeli necewa needs to be closer to the ball to utilise his better strengths..i have been watchin him for 3 years now and he has to be the GREATEST UTILITY PLAYER in the world right now...i have never seen any other player cover fullback,wing,centre and second five with ease and also with great skills in all those positions...
Thanks CHIRO thats the funniest thing i&#39;ve read all day...... Nacewa lol

THE CHIROPRACTOR101

24-03-06, 06:38 AM

hahahaha...necewa proberly be able to out scrum any of your aussie &#39;toy&#39; props too

sambĂŁd5

24-03-06, 06:40 AM

Originally posted by The TRUTH!!+Mar 24 2006, 07:32 PM-->
<!--QuoteBegin-THE CHIROPRACTOR101@Mar 23 2006, 07:56 PM
but isikeli necewa needs to be closer to the ball to utilise his better strengths..i have been watchin him for 3 years now and he has to be the GREATEST UTILITY PLAYER in the world right now...i have never seen any other player cover fullback,wing,centre and second five with ease and also with great skills in all those positions...
Thanks CHIRO thats the funniest thing i&#39;ve read all day...... Nacewa lol [/b]
necawa is one of the greatest utility players. hes excelled at wing, full back, centre, 2nd 5/8 and 1st 5/8. hes had what? 1 season of s14 under his belt? he was awesome in the npc. maybie if you looked into a player a bit more, or let someone who follows them a little more you would know what hes really capable. why isnt he preforming so far in the s14? you could say that about the other 10 players in the blues who are either all blacks, former allblacks, or boarderline all blacks.

Ripper

24-03-06, 06:48 AM

The Truth&#39;s Rugby knowledge, or lack of is on par with Air Bens... therefore, you should all give give me plus rep.

The TRUTH

24-03-06, 06:51 AM

The GREATEST UTILITY player in the world?

what about Mat Rogers?

Wally

24-03-06, 07:28 AM

Why is Shaun Berne still in the side while Knight is on the bench? Berne is the only player bringing down that backline.

Rassie

24-03-06, 09:44 AM

Where are the Blues. 5 minutes to the end of first half and 20 - 6 for Tahs!

sambĂŁd5

24-03-06, 10:03 AM

Originally posted by The TRUTH!!@Mar 24 2006, 07:51 PM
The GREATEST UTILITY player in the world?

what about Mat Rogers?
yeah.. well... apart from rogers B)

in other news. f*** you blues. f*** you.

aussie1st

24-03-06, 10:48 AM

Tahs did it easy. Blues played absolute crap and Lavea was beyond crap.
The Blues that played last week clearly didn&#39;t show up this week.

Wally

24-03-06, 10:48 AM

Judging by that performance..

1. The Waratahs are either the best team in the competition or atleast equal to the Crusaders.

2. The Blues are worse than the Queensland Reds. No joke.

Remember when Chiro said the Blues had the best backline in the competition? Mountain-larious.

Rassie

24-03-06, 10:49 AM

You should have scored that 4th try last season ;)

sanzar

24-03-06, 10:50 AM

Originally posted by Rassie@Mar 24 2006, 08:44 PM
Where are the Blues. 5 minutes to the end of first half and 20 - 6 for Tahs!
That&#39;s what you get for tipping the Tah&#39;s to lose every match :P .

Waratah&#39;s > Blues

And did you see that cross kick to Sailor? Where was rocochoko?
Sailor > Joe

sanzar

24-03-06, 10:51 AM

Originally posted by Wally@Mar 24 2006, 09:48 PM
Judging by that performance..

1. The Waratahs are either the best team in the competition or atleast equal to the Crusaders.

2. The Blues are worse than the Queensland Reds. No joke.

Remember when Chiro said the Blues had the best backline in the competition? Mountain-larious.
I&#39;m inclined to agree :bravo:

The TRUTH

24-03-06, 10:57 AM

Surprise Surprise the Tahs smashed the Blues 43-9 ..... OK which idiots picked the Blues to win? hands up

The Blues are lucky it was wet coz otherwise they probly woulda got 100 points put on them.

They were dominated in every position on the field,Waugh pwned everyone,Hewat was great as was Tuqiriand Freier ...... hell they were all great.

I&#39;ve never laughed so much during a game before in my life ....... great stuff :bravo:

Crusaders are the worry, they have won games without being near their best. They will again be the team to beat. Tahs are clearly the 2nd best side though.

Rassie

24-03-06, 11:46 AM

Yeah right....just to wait to see my beloved Cheetahs :bravo: :bleh!:

Wally

24-03-06, 02:30 PM

Crusaders v Waratahs final. Telstra Stadium - 80, 000 people. That would be special for us in Australia, but we&#39;ll only see it if New South Wales finish top of the ladder or Christchurch get knocked out at the semis.

The TRUTH

24-03-06, 03:08 PM

Originally posted by Wally@Mar 25 2006, 02:30 AM
Crusaders v Waratahs final. Telstra Stadium - 80, 000 people. That would be special for us in Australia,
That would be special for everyone, thats the only thing this comp lacks is a great grand final to rival the other codes.

Ripper

24-03-06, 07:57 PM

Originally posted by Wally@Mar 24 2006, 11:48 PM
Judging by that performance..

1. The Waratahs are either the best team in the competition or atleast equal to the Crusaders.

2. The Blues are worse than the Queensland Reds. No joke.

Remember when Chiro said the Blues had the best backline in the competition? Mountain-larious.
That was when we thought Nucifora actually knew what the sport the team he was coaching played.

aussie1st

24-03-06, 09:17 PM

Tahs basically need the Crusaders to lose twice cause they are just on top right now but the crusaders have had their bye.

1. The Waratahs are either the best team in the competition or atleast equal to the Crusaders.

2. The Blues are worse than the Queensland Reds. No joke.

Remember when Chiro said the Blues had the best backline in the competition? Mountain-larious.
That was when we thought Nucifora actually knew what the sport the team he was coaching played. [/b]
Yeah, with the amount of times the blues knocked it on last night, I&#39;d be tempted to ask Nucifora if he&#39;d been coaching them basketball...

Gay-Guy

24-03-06, 11:07 PM

Once the old guard left the Blues in the late 90&#39;s the Blues have lost their soul....they are a team with no respect and worse than that no brains.....

He couldn&#39;t find touch all night ,when he was used at first receiver he looked just as bad as Lavea, he was used as a step ladder by Tuqiri and the one time he made a break he was dumped on his arse by the smallest guy on the field(Sheehan)

I&#39;d say he was the very definition of ****

sanzar

25-03-06, 07:36 AM

Originally posted by The TRUTH!!+Mar 25 2006, 02:08 AM-->
<!--QuoteBegin-Wally@Mar 25 2006, 02:30 AM
Crusaders v Waratahs final. Telstra Stadium - 80, 000 people. That would be special for us in Australia,
That would be special for everyone, thats the only thing this comp lacks is a great grand final to rival the other codes. [/b]
Yeah, but the comp doesn&#39;t go long enough, and in reality is more of a curtain raiser to the international season... whereas the NRL and AFL are THE competition&#39;s for their respective codes, both featuring lengthy h&a season&#39;s and extensive finals formats. By the time you get to either the AFL or NRL GF the interest level is incredibly intense... the S14 has barely over half the time to build that, and once it&#39;s finished everyone immediately looks to who&#39;s gonna be in the national squads.

aussie1st

25-03-06, 10:24 PM

Nucifora should have taken the Wallabies job now huh :)

Gay-Guy

26-03-06, 12:11 AM

Originally posted by sanzar+Mar 25 2006, 07:36 PM-->

Originally posted by The TRUTH!!@Mar 25 2006, 02:08 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-Wally@Mar 25 2006, 02:30 AM
Crusaders v Waratahs final. Telstra Stadium - 80, 000 people. That would be special for us in Australia,
That would be special for everyone, thats the only thing this comp lacks is a great grand final to rival the other codes.
Yeah, but the comp doesn&#39;t go long enough, and in reality is more of a curtain raiser to the international season... whereas the NRL and AFL are THE competition&#39;s for their respective codes, both featuring lengthy h&a season&#39;s and extensive finals formats. By the time you get to either the AFL or NRL GF the interest level is incredibly intense... the S14 has barely over half the time to build that, and once it&#39;s finished everyone immediately looks to who&#39;s gonna be in the national squads. [/b]
Hahaha...

In NZ and S.A. we don&#39;t and never did need the Super10/12/14 for rugby to survive here.......

True to say the Super comp is of a higher profile than maybe the NPC or Currie Cup.....but it is not the be all end all of NZ or S.A. rugby....nor is the Tri-nations....

Anyway back on topic

Ripper Posted on Mar 25 2006, 12:43 PM
* The sad thing is that when Henry gets these boys in the All Black jersey they start to play like Demi-Gods... even Pat f***ing Lam at least has the guys playing to their potential. [/b]
Lol!!!! yep......even Patty can turn these guys into supermen...and Pat Lam isn&#39;t even in th same class as Henry.

Interesting to note that Deaker on radio (yeah I know...I listen to Talkback) mentioned that the only titles the Blues have won have been under Auckland coaches....all their years of floundering have been because of non Auckland coaches.

Interesting to note that because useless Pat Lam....at least he is an Aucklander.....he got some results in the NPC with these guys!

sanzar

26-03-06, 12:38 AM

Originally posted by Gay-Guy+Mar 26 2006, 11:11 AM-->

Originally posted by sanzar@Mar 25 2006, 07:36 PM

Originally posted by The TRUTH!!@Mar 25 2006, 02:08 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-Wally@Mar 25 2006, 02:30 AM
Crusaders v Waratahs final. Telstra Stadium - 80, 000 people. That would be special for us in Australia,
That would be special for everyone, thats the only thing this comp lacks is a great grand final to rival the other codes.
Yeah, but the comp doesn&#39;t go long enough, and in reality is more of a curtain raiser to the international season... whereas the NRL and AFL are THE competition&#39;s for their respective codes, both featuring lengthy h&a season&#39;s and extensive finals formats. By the time you get to either the AFL or NRL GF the interest level is incredibly intense... the S14 has barely over half the time to build that, and once it&#39;s finished everyone immediately looks to who&#39;s gonna be in the national squads.
Hahaha...

In NZ and S.A. we don&#39;t and never did need the Super10/12/14 for rugby to survive here.......

True to say the Super comp is of a higher profile than maybe the NPC or Currie Cup.....but it is not the be all end all of NZ or S.A. rugby....nor is the Tri-nations....

[/b]
Sorry GG, not exactly sure on what you&#39;re saying here... You mean that unlike Aus, NZ and SA would be fine not having the S14 at all because they have the NPC and Currie Cup? If that&#39;s what you&#39;re saying, then I&#39;m not really sure how it relates to my point, as I was basically saying that the S14 wasn&#39;t capable of having a GF as big as the AFL or NRL because it generally feels more like a curtain raiser to the international season... Are you telling me that more kiwi&#39;s care about their team winning the NPC than the AB&#39;s winning the TN and/or getting a Grand Slam? Because with last years NPC final failing to fill out the stadium I didn&#39;t really think that looked to be the case.

Mr. Laxative

26-03-06, 01:16 AM

Rogers likely to miss
March 25, 2006 - 1:26pm
Story by: Sportal
The New South Wales Waratahs have been dealt an injury blow with confirmation that flyhalf Mat Rogers has damaged some cartilage in his ribs.
The injury was incurred during his teams 43-9 win in round seven of the Super 14 competition, and Rogers is now an unlikely starter for next weeks clash Against the Cheetahs at Aussie Stadium.
Waratahs coach Ewen Mckenzie is hopeful that his star player will be right for the match, and has pointed towards his proven powers of recovery to help him over the line.
"The scan has revealed damage but given Mat&#39;s high tolerance level for pain and renowned rapid recovery we&#39;ll probably have a better idea of his playing status in two or three days," McKenzie said.
"At this point you&#39;d think he&#39;d miss our next match but it&#39;s too early to say if it&#39;s going to be longer than that."

Gay-Guy

26-03-06, 06:41 AM

Originally posted by sanzar+Mar 26 2006, 12:38 PM-->

Originally posted by Gay-Guy@Mar 26 2006, 11:11 AM

Originally posted by sanzar@Mar 25 2006, 07:36 PM

Originally posted by The TRUTH!!@Mar 25 2006, 02:08 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-Wally@Mar 25 2006, 02:30 AM
Crusaders v Waratahs final. Telstra Stadium - 80, 000 people. That would be special for us in Australia,
That would be special for everyone, thats the only thing this comp lacks is a great grand final to rival the other codes.
Yeah, but the comp doesn&#39;t go long enough, and in reality is more of a curtain raiser to the international season... whereas the NRL and AFL are THE competition&#39;s for their respective codes, both featuring lengthy h&a season&#39;s and extensive finals formats. By the time you get to either the AFL or NRL GF the interest level is incredibly intense... the S14 has barely over half the time to build that, and once it&#39;s finished everyone immediately looks to who&#39;s gonna be in the national squads.
Hahaha...

In NZ and S.A. we don&#39;t and never did need the Super10/12/14 for rugby to survive here.......

True to say the Super comp is of a higher profile than maybe the NPC or Currie Cup.....but it is not the be all end all of NZ or S.A. rugby....nor is the Tri-nations....

Sorry GG, not exactly sure on what you&#39;re saying here... You mean that unlike Aus, NZ and SA would be fine not having the S14 at all because they have the NPC and Currie Cup? If that&#39;s what you&#39;re saying, then I&#39;m not really sure how it relates to my point, as I was basically saying that the S14 wasn&#39;t capable of having a GF as big as the AFL or NRL because it generally feels more like a curtain raiser to the international season... Are you telling me that more kiwi&#39;s care about their team winning the NPC than the AB&#39;s winning the TN and/or getting a Grand Slam? Because with last years NPC final failing to fill out the stadium I didn&#39;t really think that looked to be the case. [/b]
Well what I meant was that the expansion of Super rugby is not necessarily needed for kiwis......it is good in some respects but we don&#39;t live and die on it.

Even the tri nations concept...we were fine before it and we will still be around if it collapsed.

So for us kiwis the need for a bigger longer Super season with consequently a more prolific grand final isn&#39;t neccessarily in our best interests from a national perspective. We still want the NPC to be valued (even though it is second to S14) and I am sure S.A would be devasted if their Currie Cup was scraped for an oexpanded international club comp. A bit like the Champions league in European soccer......it is a great comp but it would be tragic if anyone pushed for it to be expanded at the expense of all the domestic comps.

The NZ rugby structure is one of the best in the world.

In NZ we have rugby catering for all players at all levels throughout the year...there is no "waiting in limbo" stage. The S14 is seen as a pre-season comp for the Elite only. After the S14 those that are AB material go into camp to prepare for the pre tri nations series. Those that miss out but are very very good S14 go into camp for NPC while playing a few "club" games. Those who totally sucked at S14 level and are not even wanted by their provinces go play these club games.

So a new unknown players career in NZ starting at the bottom to the top normally would go (unless they are fast tracked) like so. Early Feb they have club trials for the premier team. If he makes it to premier then good...if not then Senior B or other stuff. If he plays well in Club (March to June/July) then he may be selected for Provincial..otherwise his season is over. Provincial is July-Oct....if he is a standout star in a Division one team he may get selected for the AB "development" tour (yep...really the end of year tours up north are experiments). If he goes on that tour he will definetely have a S14 contract the following year (or if he makes the NPC he may still get a S14 spot regardless). The next year if he is a form player of the S14 (which is really a trial for that years AB players) he will get an AB spot in the early domestic season internationals. If he does well there he will be asked for the top spot of NZ rugby, a place in the AB squad for the Tri-nations (different from the AB squads for domestic and end of year north tour) otherwise it is back in the NPC mix to re-master his skills....... and so the cycle goes on.

Basically it is equal opportunity for anyone who wants to make it. Even anyone in a lower NPC team can shift to play club rugby in a top province and await a chance to be noticed (and you will be noticed if you are good enough).

If other countries get their domestic structure fixed up then little NZ will start to find winning very very difficult. Particularly S.A. with all their talent. Henry wanted to fix up the Welsh administration to follow the NZ infrastructure but he was blocked by old men who couldn&#39;t see any good thing past the 70&#39;s.

So back on topic..
...sometimes in the NZ infrastructure you get guys like Lavea who try and skip the system thinking that their skills elsewhere will complement them in NZ rugby. Well what happens is that they do some good for a while....then their basics that they should have ironed out in reserve grade club rugby start to become exploited. Lavea needs to be dropped from S14 and put into the NPC wringer or go down more to Auckland Club rugby....and never show his head again until he stands out at those grades first.

They did this back to basics technique to lots of AB&#39;s.....Bunce, Merhts, Lomu, Ripper :lol:

sanzar

26-03-06, 08:42 AM

Point taken GG, and a solid point it is indeed! Still though, all I was really doing was explaining to the Truth why I didn&#39;t think the S14 was capable of reaching the same status as either the NRL or AFL because most Aussies think of the S14 as a curtain raiser to the international season... I wasn&#39;t really making any comment with regard to development. That said, if the ARU were to pull its finger out and establish an NPC like national comp, then our system would be on a similar level to yours, with all the left over players getting a run in the local city comps like the Toohey&#39;s New Cup etc.

Gay-Guy

26-03-06, 09:33 AM

Yeah we kiwis realise that the Aussie rugby structure could do well with better restructuring....but we are hoping they never get it together lol!

Or we hope for the continual dominance of League and AFL and that soccer comp lol!

Just don&#39;t get it right with your Union admins eh B)

Back on topic...........
........Sailor has really improved with his high ball stuff.......

sambĂŁd5

26-03-06, 09:36 AM

Originally posted by sanzar@Mar 26 2006, 09:42 PM
Point taken GG, and a solid point it is indeed! Still though, all I was really doing was explaining to the Truth why I didn&#39;t think the S14 was capable of reaching the same status as either the NRL or AFL because most Aussies think of the S14 as a curtain raiser to the international season... I wasn&#39;t really making any comment with regard to development. That said, if the ARU were to pull its finger out and establish an NPC like national comp, then our system would be on a similar level to yours, with all the left over players getting a run in the local city comps like the Toohey&#39;s New Cup etc.
thats because rugby has a international season :P

imo, i would rather have a stunning npc season than watch the abs win a tri nations. (key word being stunning) npc vs s14. npc every time.

BigTen

26-03-06, 10:18 AM

I was very curious when I saw the scoreboard during the Waratahs v Blues game.

In brackets, next to the Blues, were the initials NZ.

Now I realise that some teams from New South Wales are also known as "Blues" and this poses a very interesting question.

Are the Waratahs fans too stupid, even after ten plus seasons, to know the name of their team or is it that the Waratahs administrators just think that their fans are too stupid to know the difference?

sanzar

26-03-06, 10:59 AM

Originally posted by sambăd5+Mar 26 2006, 08:36 PM-->
<!--QuoteBegin-sanzar@Mar 26 2006, 09:42 PM
Point taken GG, and a solid point it is indeed! Still though, all I was really doing was explaining to the Truth why I didn&#39;t think the S14 was capable of reaching the same status as either the NRL or AFL because most Aussies think of the S14 as a curtain raiser to the international season... I wasn&#39;t really making any comment with regard to development. That said, if the ARU were to pull its finger out and establish an NPC like national comp, then our system would be on a similar level to yours, with all the left over players getting a run in the local city comps like the Toohey&#39;s New Cup etc.
thats because rugby has a international season :P

imo, i would rather have a stunning npc season than watch the abs win a tri nations. (key word being stunning) npc vs s14. npc every time. [/b]
Alot of kiwi&#39;s say that, but then every time I see a game of it the stadiums are virtually empty! NRL games get bad crowds too, but it&#39;s dependan on which team&#39;s and what time of the year and then there are certain teams (eg Newcastle) that get 20,000 all the time! If the NPC is such a big deal, why don&#39;t more teams (or any for that matter) play to capacity crowds? I&#39;ve never seen an NPC match that was more than a 3rd full in the grandstands (barring last years GF, which was more like 3/4 full... still shockingly low for a GF of such proportions I thought).

Wally

26-03-06, 11:00 AM

The casual Australian rugby viewer has barely any idea where the international Super 14 teams come from, let alone their own teams.

sanzar

26-03-06, 11:10 AM

Originally posted by BigTen@Mar 26 2006, 09:18 PM
In brackets, next to the Blues, were the initials NZ.

Now I realise that some teams from New South Wales are also known as "Blues" and this poses a very interesting question.

Are the Waratahs fans too stupid, even after ten plus seasons, to know the name of their team or is it that the Waratahs administrators just think that their fans are too stupid to know the difference?
The Tah&#39;s get a lot of fan&#39;s who are just curious league boys, who want to see the sky blue more than 3 times a year. I know it&#39;s obvious in NZ that Blues mean auckland, but all you have is union... and that&#39;s it, whereas the sporting landscape in Australia, especially Sydney is several times more competative, so it&#39;s not a given to all the people who come to the match that "The Blues" would be from Auckland NZ. It&#39;s a bit hard to explain to a kiwi though, because you haven&#39;t been battered your entire life with media celebrating "THE MIGHTY BLUES OF NSW"...

THE CHIROPRACTOR101

26-03-06, 11:26 AM

its good that game...listening to the commentry and i thank them for pointing out lavea and saying &#39;he should get off the field&#39;...

hopefully now everyone sees the agony im in of watching him play...everything he did effected the blues game..when mccalister got the 10 jersey everything got worse

lavea is a disease....i hope he leaves and plays in japan or up in the north where he will get a large amount of money only coz he plays in the super14...

he shouldnt be playing in auckland rugby...he does not deserve too..i have seen in auckland younger grades far better talent

you cannot blame that loss on the forwards as they got worse with the state of the backline...

lavea please leave...you suck

sambĂŁd5

26-03-06, 05:46 PM

Originally posted by sanzar@Mar 26 2006, 10:59 PM
If the NPC is such a big deal, why don&#39;t more teams (or any for that matter) play to capacity crowds? I&#39;ve never seen an NPC match that was more than a 3rd full in the grandstands (barring last years GF, which was more like 3/4 full... still shockingly low for a GF of such proportions I thought).
thats like saying that you find it difficult to find a reason for a international game to sell more tickets than a super 14 game. in s14, auckland as an example you have a crowd base of the auckland, north harbor, counties manakau and northland (most admitedly northlands crowd is there 15 players, and intern entire population) of course a s14 game will sell out faster than a npc. but look at a north harbor vs auckland. or bop vs waikato. southland vs otago. when the two teams are next door, they do sell well.

then you take an example which was played at nzs biggest stadium

sanzar

26-03-06, 08:18 PM

Originally posted by sambăd5+Mar 27 2006, 04:46 AM-->
<!--QuoteBegin-sanzar@Mar 26 2006, 10:59 PM
If the NPC is such a big deal, why don&#39;t more teams (or any for that matter) play to capacity crowds? I&#39;ve never seen an NPC match that was more than a 3rd full in the grandstands (barring last years GF, which was more like 3/4 full... still shockingly low for a GF of such proportions I thought).
thats like saying that you find it difficult to find a reason for a international game to sell more tickets than a super 14 game. in s14, auckland as an example you have a crowd base of the auckland, north harbor, counties manakau and northland (most admitedly northlands crowd is there 15 players, and intern entire population) of course a s14 game will sell out faster than a npc. but look at a north harbor vs auckland. or bop vs waikato. southland vs otago. when the two teams are next door, they do sell well.

then you take an example which was played at nzs biggest stadium [/b]
But it&#39;s the GF FFS!! Over here the still NRL GF managed to pull 100,000+ at the old configuration of Telstra stadium despite the fact league popularity had suffered badly in the years after the Super League war... Why? Because it was the GF!
My point is that if the NPC is as important to kiwi fans as you all say it is, then people should want to go to their GF regardless of whether their team is playing or not...

Zambaman

27-03-06, 07:03 AM

There&#39;s just too much rugby when you combine the Super 12/14 with the NPC. That&#39;s the main problem. It&#39;s the Super 12/14 which has caused NPC crowds to drop. Afterall, in 1985 52,000 people packed out Lancaster Park for the Canterbury - Auckland Ranfurly Shield match. You can&#39;t even fit that many people into the place these days. So if the Super 14 was gone, the NPC would bounce back strongly and you&#39;d see the games selling out. Even now, Canterbury games against Auckland and Otago still get reasonable crowds here.

I told them to ask the Blues why they were so pathetic last Saturday...which they did (Good on ya kids :bravo: )

Mr Daniels reckons the Blues pack is really small....and that even Nick Williams is only my size.....maybe thats why they got smashed.....he reckons Mealamu is the smallest of all....a wee little man.

If Nucifora starts Lavea again next week then mayb Nucifora neds to get dumped...

Dumbo

27-03-06, 09:32 AM

Or knee capped, or smashed, or crucified and his children turned into drugged out... ok ok ok easy... the Blues I think with the talent that they have to be in the position that they are in is poor management and a coaching screw up... Kevi, Afoa, Woodcock, Ali, Howlett, Rokocoko, McAlister and Devine - thats 8 current and ex All Blacks.

I think it&#39;s poor management... giving Levea the benefit of the doubt shows either one of two things...

1. David Nucifora thinks that&#39;s he&#39;s the next Spencer and is and the man to rival Carter for the 10 jersey (which he won&#39;t, Spencer is playing great where he is... amongst players that wouldn&#39;t make the NZ NPC and is looking like a legend).

Or

2. He&#39;s getting pressure from the Cartel to keep McA at 2nd5 due to Henry wanting depth in that position, all we have is Mauger and a shaky Tana (who won&#39;t play another international), next in line - outside of McA on recent performances is Seilala Mapusua (and I&#39;m not even sure if he can play for NZ).

sambĂŁd5

27-03-06, 10:06 AM

Originally posted by sanzar+Mar 27 2006, 08:18 AM-->

Originally posted by sambăd5@Mar 27 2006, 04:46 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-sanzar@Mar 26 2006, 10:59 PM
If the NPC is such a big deal, why don&#39;t more teams (or any for that matter) play to capacity crowds? I&#39;ve never seen an NPC match that was more than a 3rd full in the grandstands (barring last years GF, which was more like 3/4 full... still shockingly low for a GF of such proportions I thought).
thats like saying that you find it difficult to find a reason for a international game to sell more tickets than a super 14 game. in s14, auckland as an example you have a crowd base of the auckland, north harbor, counties manakau and northland (most admitedly northlands crowd is there 15 players, and intern entire population) of course a s14 game will sell out faster than a npc. but look at a north harbor vs auckland. or bop vs waikato. southland vs otago. when the two teams are next door, they do sell well.

then you take an example which was played at nzs biggest stadium
But it&#39;s the GF FFS!! Over here the still NRL GF managed to pull 100,000+ at the old configuration of Telstra stadium despite the fact league popularity had suffered badly in the years after the Super League war... Why? Because it was the GF!
My point is that if the NPC is as important to kiwi fans as you all say it is, then people should want to go to their GF regardless of whether their team is playing or not... [/b]
ok, think of it this way. would a club game sellout telstra? i dont know how much pride and passion are in club games of league in oz, but in nz theres alot in league.

reasons for it not being a sellout? a) otago supporters = poor uni students living on the other side of the country. B) everyone knew the outcome and everyone south of the bombay hills dont want to see auckland win. ever. let alone pay to see it. so its up to auckland alone to bring in the numbers. this combined with what zambaman said, is reason enough.

Dumbo

27-03-06, 10:12 AM

Jeez Sambad are you having to justify the Super 14 over the NPC, hello! who cares outside of NZ about NPC? Super 14 dudes - thats where it&#39;s at

sambĂŁd5

27-03-06, 10:20 AM

Originally posted by Dumbo@Mar 27 2006, 10:12 PM
Jeez Sambad are you having to justify the Super 14 over the NPC, hello! who cares outside of NZ about NPC? Super 14 dudes - thats where it&#39;s at
s14 is boring. its like canned sport. the mcdonalds of rugby.

Dumbo

27-03-06, 10:23 AM

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooow!

sanzar

27-03-06, 10:24 AM

Originally posted by sambăd5+Mar 27 2006, 09:20 PM-->
<!--QuoteBegin-Dumbo@Mar 27 2006, 10:12 PM
Jeez Sambad are you having to justify the Super 14 over the NPC, hello! who cares outside of NZ about NPC? Super 14 dudes - thats where it&#39;s at
s14 is boring. its like canned sport. the mcdonalds of rugby. [/b]
But at least people turn up to the matches ;) .

The TRUTH

27-03-06, 10:27 AM

Afl sell out many games during the year(that our #1 sport)

Over here in perth the West Coast Eagles and Freo Dockers sell out just about every game of the year (thats 40-43,000) and big Games like Essendon v Collingwood or Carlton v Collingwood at the MCG get 80-100,000

Dumbo

27-03-06, 10:30 AM

Dude, keep the AFL the hell out of this (regardles of interesting facts)

sanzar

27-03-06, 10:33 AM

Originally posted by The TRUTH!!@Mar 27 2006, 09:27 PM
Afl sell out many games during the year(that our #1 sport)

Over here in perth the West Coast Eagles and Freo Dockers sell out just about every game of the year (thats 40-43,000) and big Games like Essendon v Collingwood or Carlton v Collingwood at the MCG get 80-100,000
AFL is a different proposition as well though because the game is close to unwatchable on TV but spectacular live. Rugby is great to go to, but you don&#39;t lose anything in the TV presentation.

Over here in perth the West Coast Eagles and Freo Dockers sell out just about every game of the year (thats 40-43,000) and big Games like Essendon v Collingwood or Carlton v Collingwood at the MCG get 80-100,000
AFL is a different proposition as well though because the game is close to unwatchable on TV but spectacular live. Rugby is great to go to, but you don&#39;t lose anything in the TV presentation. [/b]
Aussie Rules is great to watch on tv, the ratings speak for themself.

Point is even though we have many sports in OZ we still get great crowd numbers.

Over here in perth the West Coast Eagles and Freo Dockers sell out just about every game of the year (thats 40-43,000) and big Games like Essendon v Collingwood or Carlton v Collingwood at the MCG get 80-100,000
AFL is a different proposition as well though because the game is close to unwatchable on TV but spectacular live. Rugby is great to go to, but you don&#39;t lose anything in the TV presentation.
Aussie Rules is great to watch on tv, the ratings speak for themself.

Point is even though we have many sports in OZ we still get great crowd numbers. [/b]
But wouldn&#39;t you agree that you lose scope of the game when it&#39;s on TV because so much is going on that you can&#39;t see? Ask any AFL (real fan, and I admit I have at best a casual interest and only when at my father&#39;s house (who is from WA) in AFL) and they&#39;ll tell you every time that watching it on TV gives you nothing compared to actually being there. Which isn&#39;t a way of me saying people won&#39;t want to watch it on TV, but rather there is an extra insentive for people to go to the games if they can. Anyway though, I&#39;d only ever go to a game if there was absolutely no chance I&#39;d miss a live game of league or union.

Over here in perth the West Coast Eagles and Freo Dockers sell out just about every game of the year (thats 40-43,000) and big Games like Essendon v Collingwood or Carlton v Collingwood at the MCG get 80-100,000
AFL is a different proposition as well though because the game is close to unwatchable on TV but spectacular live. Rugby is great to go to, but you don&#39;t lose anything in the TV presentation.
Aussie Rules is great to watch on tv, the ratings speak for themself.

Point is even though we have many sports in OZ we still get great crowd numbers.
But wouldn&#39;t you agree that you lose scope of the game when it&#39;s on TV because so much is going on that you can&#39;t see? Ask any AFL (real fan, and I admit I have at best a casual interest and only when at my father&#39;s house (who is from WA) in AFL) and they&#39;ll tell you every time that watching it on TV gives you nothing compared to actually being there. Which isn&#39;t a way of me saying people won&#39;t want to watch it on TV, but rather there is an extra insentive for people to go to the games if they can. Anyway though, I&#39;d only ever go to a game if there was absolutely no chance I&#39;d miss a live game of league or union. [/b]
I&#39;ve been a die hard Aussie Rules fan since i can remember and have been to so many games i&#39;ve lost count , but the reason i go to the games has nothing to do with the quality of viewing on telly,the reason i go is for the atmosphere that you get from watching the game in a cauldron like Subi.

I agree that you dont get the same feeling for the flow of the game from the telly but i think that has little to do with the crowd numbers.Most ppl (including me) find themselves watching the big screen alot during the game because regardless of how good your seat is you cant see everything as close as you would like to at a huge Aussie Rules Stadium.

Alot of ppl i know actually prefer watching AFL on tv because of the fact you cant see the action as close as they have become accustomed to. TBH all aussie rules fans i know love watching the game on tv.

Dumbo

28-03-06, 07:26 AM

Enough... AFL is everywhere at the moment and it really doesn&#39;t have to be here, yes it draws crowds, yes this and yes that BUT DUDE IT&#39;S AFL for chirstsake.
I spoke to old guy the other day and I asked him who his team was in the AFL, he said that he didn&#39;t have once cause he hadn&#39;t been here long enough. I asked him how long he&#39;d been here and he said over 50 years...

The TRUTH

28-03-06, 07:54 AM

Originally posted by Dumbo@Mar 28 2006, 07:26 PM
.I spoke to old guy the other day and I asked him who his team was in the AFL, he said that he didn&#39;t have once cause he hadn&#39;t been here long enough. I asked him how long he&#39;d been here and he said over 50 years...
Nice story

point?

Dumbo

28-03-06, 07:57 AM

Well now that you come to mention it I&#39;m not sure... OK I admit that but enough with the AFL already.